But ITV rival Jason, 47, hit back: “The judging line up on that is questionable as well…what’s her dance background? Where is her dance background? She went to Royal Ballet School that you pay for, an extortionate amount to go to because mum and dad just want to drop you off somewhere for the holidays.”

Cheryl joined the Royal Ballet’s summer school when she was 9-years-old before quitting three years later to pursue a singing career.

Jason Gardiner has taken aim at rival judge Cheryl
(Image: PA)

Cheryl’s judging credentials were branded ‘questionable’
(Image: BBC)

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Dancing On Ice’s Dan Whiston on why the show’s not CURSED like Strictly Come Dancing

The new series – hosted by Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield – starts on ITV on January 6 (MUST). The Greatest Dancer kicks off the day before.

Jason, who has been a judge on ITV’s Dancing On Ice since 2005 and appeared in nine series of the programme, also talked about potential romance on the ITV show in the wake of Strictly being hit by the notorious curse.

Jason isn’t impressed by Cheryl’s place on the panel
(Image: ITV)

He said: “If there are cracks in your relationship, if it ain’t sturdy or there’s trouble at home, you’re in trouble.”

And he vowed “if anyone can put Gemma Collins in her place it is me”.

The TOWIE star, who is partnered with professional skater Matt Evers, has previously said she was going to “smash it”.

But Jason says he is not going to hold back this series when it comes to his notorious acid-tongue – and Gemma could find herself in the firing ine.

“Well you all know what I do and I’m true to my role on the panel and that is I tell the truth,” he says. “If she cant handle the truth if they can’t see that what I’m giving them is constructive criticism to actually improve instead of wrapping them In cotton wool and saying how fabulous you are darling air kiss air kiss, that’s not how it works. Either they can handle criticism or they can’t and the ones who can’t handle the criticism usually don’t do very well and are often get voted off.”

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